The spring day pulled us outside to play ping-pong. The players were our six-year-old grandson, our three-year-old granddaughter and my Favorite Preacher(my husband).

This day reminded me of when our grown sons were young and their greatest goal in life was to beat their daddy in a ping-pong game. The same words were repeated:

“Pay attention.”

“Hold your paddle right.”

“Move back from the table.”

“Watch the ball.”

The ping-pong expert in our family was repeating these words with conviction to our grandson,Slade.

Another voice was forever interrupting the authoritative words of ping-pong wisdom. With a red paddle and a small white ball held tightly in her fist, she did her best to join the fun.

“It’s my turn.”

“It’s my turn to hit the ball.”

“When is it my turn?”

Our answer was straightforward and timeless, “WAIT. Annaleigh, you have to wait.”

Now, did she say, “Okay with me?”

By no means…running to the table with her grip on the paddle she forcefully declared, “It’s my turn.”

Do I hear some of you echoing those same words, “When is it my turn?

Teachers ask, “When is it my turn to get a better class?”

Preachers ask, “When is it my turn to get a bigger church?”

Writers ask, “When is it my time to be published?”

Wives ask, “When is it my turn to get an understanding husband?”

Husbands ask, “When is it my turn to get a wife who appreciates me?”

Full-figured folks ask, “When is it my turn to be thin?”

Angry people ask, “When is it my turn to be happy?”

The answer may be the same. WAIT. Don’t try to get rid of the wait. Let it be your teacher and not a violet troublemaker. Sit down with it and ask the Master Teacher to show you the good stuff in waiting.

As a Christian, He has shown me it is foolish to try and by pass the waiting. You just have to go through the process. It is not wasted time. God has a purpose for our being still in his particular waiting patterns.

Right now I’m waiting for an opportunity to do something. I think during this time He is preparing me, testing me and getting rid of the unneeded stuff. He is making sure I’m ready to share divine information correctly and lovingly. The more calmly and deeply I listen, the more I will learn.

When my waiting time is over, I can walk right up the table of his will and hear him say, “It’s your time, Billie.”

By the way, it wasn’t until our sons were in college that their waiting days to beat their daddy in a ping-pong game were over.

Ooh, this one is for me! We kids used to battle over ping-pong turns all the time. I can picture little Annaleigh, gripping her paddle and seizing center stage. It's great how you draw the story right into the point. Oh, for grace to treasure His perfect timing! Thanks so much for once again ministering truth with love through your anointed pen!